In order to become a certified or registered veterinary technician you must pass the board exam, otherwise known as the Veterinary Technician National Examination. The following are some general tips to help you pass the exam.
1) This test is administered on the computer. If you have never taken an exam on the computer, then make sure to take some timed practice computer exams and questions prior to the testing date to prepare yourself. VetTechPrep.com offers many timed practice exams and over 1400 board review questions all on the computer which helps to simulate the actual VTNE.
2) Know what material will be covered. For a list of topics, see the post on “What Topics are Covered on the VTNE?” and visit http://aavsb.org.
3) Prepare a study schedule to stay on pace. Allow yourself plenty of time to review the topics so that you are not trying to cram before the exam and cause yourself undue stress. Most people require approximately 2 months time for adequate review of the material. VetTechPrep.com will keep track of which topics you have covered and will make note of your weak areas so that you can focus your study to those topics and keep you on schedule.
4) Make an outline of the topics with key words or terms you need to know. “PowerPages” are short (1-4 page) condensed notes on specific board review topics and are very helpful because they already highlight the key points you will need to know on the exam. These are included with your VetTechPrep.com subscription. (See blog “What PowerPages are on
VetTechPrep.com?” to know what you will find on the website.)
5) The exam is multiple choice. Just like with any multiple choice exam, eliminate the answers you know are incorrect. Read each question very carefully. You don’t get penalized for guessing on this exam, so chose your best guess if you do not know the correct answer. You will obviously have a better chance of guessing the right answer if you are able to eliminate a couple of incorrect choices. In this situation, typically your first guess is correct, try not to over-think the answer choices if you do not know the answer. Make your best guess and move on.
6) Go to bed early the night before the test. Eat a good breakfast the morning of the exam and show up 15 minutes early. Rushing to get there because you are running late may cause you to be stressed right before your test and this is not a mental state in which you want to be. Just prepare and don’t let that happen by giving yourself plenty of time.
And finally, Good Luck on your exam!